Devices and methods for securing an area in a vehicle, methods of making devices for securing an area in a vehicle, and vehicles with a device for securing an area

ABSTRACT

Security devices include a side panel movably coupled to an attachment mechanism and to a top panel. At least one extension structure may be configured to adjust laterally inward and outward relative to the top panel. A locking mechanism may be positioned to lock the at least one extension structure from being adjusted laterally when in the secured position. The side panel is positioned at least substantially transverse to the top panel with the at least one extension structure extending laterally outward from the top panel when in a secured position, and at least substantially parallel to the top panel with the at least one extension structure positioned laterally inward when in a storage position. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present Application for Patent claims priority to ProvisionalApplication No. 62/423,765 entitled “Devices and Methods for SecuringItems and Space in a Back of a Vehicle like a Jeep” filed Nov. 17, 2016,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology discussed below relates generally to automotive features,and more specifically to devices for securing areas of a vehicle thatare typically open to passersby.

BACKGROUND

JEEP is a brand of American automobiles that makes sport utilityvehicles and off-road vehicles. Some models of vehicles produced underthe JEEP brand include option to use an open interior configurationwhere the interior of the vehicle is generally open to the surroundingenvironment. This can create problems for securely leaving items insidethe vehicle when it is unattended.

Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide devices and methods forsecuring an area in such vehicles from passersby. Such area can beutilized to leave items that may be easily stolen if left withinunsecured areas of the vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure toprovide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summaryis not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of thedisclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or critical elementsof all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any orall aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present someconcepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in summary form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Various examples and implementations of the present disclosurefacilitate the securing of an area within a vehicle. At least one aspectof the present disclosure includes security devices for securing an areawithin a vehicle. According to at least one embodiment, a securitydevice may include an attachment mechanism sized and shaped to becoupled to a portion of a vehicle. A side panel may be movably coupledto the attachment mechanism along a first adjoining edge, and a toppanel may be movably coupled to the side panel along a second adjoiningedge. At least one extension structure may be positioned to be adjustedlaterally inward and outward relative to the top panel, and a lockingmechanism may be positioned to lock the at least one extension structurefrom being laterally adjusted when the at least one extension structureis in a secured position.

Additional embodiments of a security device may include a top panel anda side panel hingedly coupled to the top panel. A first extensionstructure and a second extension structure may be movably coupled to thetop panel to be adjusted laterally inward and outward relative to thetop panel. The side panel may be positioned at least substantiallytransverse to the top panel, and the first extension structure and thesecond extension structure may each extend laterally outward from thetop panel in a secured position. Further, the side panel may bepositioned at least substantially parallel to the top panel, and thefirst extension structure and the second extension structure may each bepositioned laterally inward relative to the top panel and adjacent thetop panel in a storage position.

Further aspects of the present disclosure include vehicles including asecurity device. According to one or more embodiments, a vehicleaccording to the present disclosure may include a trunk space with afloor surface. A side panel may be positioned within the trunk space andhingedly coupled to a portion of the trunk space. At least one extensionstructure may be configured to be adjusted laterally inward and outwardrelative to the top panel. In a secured position, the side panel may bepositioned at least substantially transverse to the top panel and to thefloor surface. In a storage position, the side panel may be positionedat least substantially parallel to the top panel and to the floorsurface.

Other aspects, features, and embodiments associated with the presentdisclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying figures.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a rear of a vehicle with a securitydevice in a secured position according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of a security device according to atleast one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom isometric view of the security device in FIG. 2according to at least one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a locking assemblyaccording to at least one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of at least one other embodiment of alocking assembly according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a rear of a vehicle illustrating one ormore aspects of installation and removal of a security device accordingto at least one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a portion of a side ofa vehicle illustrating the positioning of an attachment mechanism inslots of a vehicle according to at least one example of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a rear of a vehiclewith a security device in a storage position according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a rear of a vehicledepicting the conversion of the security device from a storage positionto a secured position according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a rear of a vehicledepicting the conversion of the security device from a storage positionto a secured position according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a rear of a vehicledepicting the conversion of the security device from a storage positionto a secured position according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a rear of a vehicledepicting the conversion of the security device from a storage positionto a secured position according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a rear of a vehiclewith a security device in a storage position according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a rear of a vehicledepicting the conversion of the security device from a storage positionto a secured position according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a partially sectioned isometric view of a rear of a vehicledepicting the conversion of the security device from a storage positionto a secured position according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a rear of a vehicle with a securitydevice in a secured position when a rear door is closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are, in some instances, not actualviews of any particular security device or vehicle, but are merelyidealized representations which are employed to describe one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common betweenfigures may retain the same numerical designation.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to devices that facilitatesecuring items in an area of a vehicle. In at least some embodiments,such devices can secure a back or trunk area of a jeep or othersimilarly configured vehicle. FIG. 1 shows a partial view of a vehicle100 according to one example. As depicted, a security device 102 ishingedly coupled to a portion of the vehicle 100. In the depictedexample, the security device 102 is in a secured position. In thesecured position, the security device 102 secures an area 104 within thevehicle 100 from persons outside the vehicle 100.

FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of the security device 102 according toat least one example of the present disclosure. As shown, the securitydevice 102 includes a side panel 202 and a top panel 204. The side panel202 and the top panel 204 are movably coupled together along anadjoining edge 206. In at least one example, a hinge may be utilized tocouple the side panel 202 and the top panel 204 together along theadjoining edge 206.

An attachment mechanism 208 may also be movably coupled to the sidepanel 202 along an adjoining edge 210. In at least one example, theattachment mechanism 208 can be movably coupled to the side panel 202with one or more hinges along the adjoining edge 210. The attachmentmechanism 208 may include one or more components 212 having a hook-likeconfiguration, as depicted in FIG. 2. In some models of vehicles, suchas some JEEP vehicles, a trunk space includes slots formed in the floor,as described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Inother embodiments, hook-like components 212 can be configured to attachto a loop feature of the vehicle. In still other examples, theattachment mechanism 208 may be configured to fasten to a portion of thevehicle utilizing one or more fasteners, such as a bolt, a screw,adhesive, or other mechanism for coupling the attachment mechanism 208to the vehicle.

Turning to FIG. 3, a bottom isometric view of the security device 102 isshown according to at least one example of the present disclosure. Asillustrated, the top panel 204 includes a bottom surface 302 with atleast one locking assembly 304 coupled thereto. In the depictedembodiment, the security device 102 includes two locking assemblies 304.FIG. 4 is a magnified view of the locking assembly 304 according to theexample depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3. As shown, each locking assembly304 includes an extension structure 402 movably coupled to the top panel204 so that the extension structure 402 can be adjusted laterallyoutward and inward with respect to the top panel 204 in the direction ofarrow 404.

The locking assembly 304 can further include a locking mechanism. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the locking mechanism includes a lock pin406 configured to be positioned within an aperture, such as aperture 408formed in the locking panel configuration of the extension structure402. In this example, the aperture 408 may be utilized to lock thelocking panel in a laterally inward position relative to the top panel204. Similarly, another aperture (not shown) may be included in thelocking panel to lock the locking panel in a laterally outward position.In other embodiments, the locking mechanism may be operated by a keyaccessible from a top surface of the top panel 204.

Although the extension structure 402 is configured in FIG. 3 as alocking panel slidably coupled to the bottom surface 302 of the toppanel 204, other embodiments may employ different structure that iscoupled to the top panel 204 so as to be able to move or adjust betweena laterally outward position and a laterally inward position. Forexample, FIG. 5 is a close view of another embodiment of a lockingassembly 304. As shown, the locking assembly 304 includes an extensionstructure 402 configured as a rod movably coupled to the top panel 204so that the extension structure 402 can be adjusted lateral outward andinward with respect to the top panel 204 in the direction of arrow 502.A locking mechanism may include an aperture 504 through which a lock pin(not shown) can be positioned when the extension structure 402 is fullydisplaced laterally outward. As noted above, other embodiments mayemploy a locking mechanism that is configured to be operated by a keyaccessible from a top surface of the top panel 204.

In the embodiment in FIG. 5, lateral panels 506 are coupled to the toppanel 204 at opposing longitudinal ends of the top panel 204 to extendat least substantially perpendicular to the top panel 204, whileextending at least substantially parallel to each other. The lateralpanels 506 can include an aperture 508 aligned with an extensionstructure 402 so that the extension structure 402 can be moved throughthe aperture 508 when the extension structure is adjusted laterallyoutward and inward.

Alternative embodiments of extension structures 402 may also be used.For example, instead of utilizing a slidable locking panel, the lockingpanels in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be hingedly coupled along an adjoining edgeto the top panel 204 to fold laterally outward and inward. Further, oneor more embodiments of an extension structure 402 may be coupled to adifferent surface (e.g., the top surface) or to an edge of the top panel204 in one or more other examples. In still further embodiments, anextension structure 402 may be coupled to the vehicle instead of the toppanel 204, and configured to move laterally inward or outward relativeto the top panel 204 to perform similar functions as the extensionstructures 402 described above.

As noted above with reference to FIG. 2, the attachment mechanism 208may include one or more components 212 having a hook-like configuration.Referring now to FIG. 6, a partial view of the vehicle 100 is shownillustrating how the hook-like components 212 (not visible in FIG. 6)can be coupled to the vehicle 100 according to one example. In somemodels of vehicles, such as some JEEP vehicles, a trunk space includesslots 602 formed in the floor. The slots 602 may be associated with acover 604 included with the vehicle that can be secured over an area606.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the attachment mechanism 208 with hook-likecomponents 212 can be configured such that respective hook-likecomponents 212 are sized, shaped, and located to fit into the slots 602.As shown, the hook-like components 212 are at least partially insertedinto a respective slot 602. Further, portions of the cover 604 can alsobe at least partially inserted into respective slots 602, which canfurther retain the attachment mechanism 208 into place. In this manner,the security device 102 can be relatively easily installed and removedby a user. In embodiments employing components 212 having a hook-likeconfiguration, the security device 102 can be readily installed andremoved from the vehicle by inserting the hook-like components 212 intoa relative slot to install the security device 102, and sliding thehook-like components 212 out of the slots to remove the security device102.

In operation, the security device 102 of the present disclosure canoperate in both a secured position and in a storage position, and can betransitioned between the two positions. FIG. 1 illustrates the securitydevice 102 in the secured position, and FIGS. 8 and 13 illustratedifferent configurations of the security device 102 in the storageposition. The security device 102 can be folded down in the storageposition, such that the side panel 202 is positioned at leastsubstantially parallel to the top panel 204 and to the floor surface ofthe vehicle. In other words, the side panel 202, the top panel 204, andthe floor surface of the vehicle are parallel or relatively nearparallel (e.g., with a relatively small angles between the side panel202, the top panel 204, and the floor surface) with the side panel 202and top panel 204 adjacent each other when folded together in thestorage position. Additionally, the extension structures 402 can bepositioned laterally inward so that they are not engaging any part ofthe vehicle interior, enabling the top panel 204 to hinge to the one ofthe positions shown in FIGS. 8 and 13. In this way, the security device102 is positioned out of the way, such as to enable access to the trunkspace from outside the vehicle 100 or to facilitate storage of itemsthat may be relatively tall and would not fit in the trunk space withthe security device 102 in the secured position.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, an example process fortransitioning the security device 102 from the storage position to thesecured position is depicted. As shown in FIG. 8, the top panel 204 canbe folded forward toward the front of the vehicle, rotating about theedge 206 adjoining the top panel 204 with the side panel 202 to aposition similar to that shown in FIG. 9. When the top panel 204 ispositioned similar to the orientation shown in FIG. 9, the top panel 204and the side panel 202 can be folded backward toward the rear of thevehicle, rotating about the edge 210 adjoining the top panel 204 withthe attachment mechanism 208, as depicted in FIG. 9, resulting in anorientation similar to that shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, theextension structures 402 are still positioned laterally inward.Accordingly, the extension structures 402 can be moved laterally outwardrelative to the top panel 204, as depicted in FIG. 10, resulting in anorientation similar to that shown in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 11, with the extension structures 402 extendedlaterally outward relative to the top panel 204, the top panel 204 canbe secured into position to at least substantially cover the area 106with the security device 102 in the secured position. In the securedposition, the side panel 202 is positioned at least substantiallytransverse to the top panel 204 and to the floor surface of the vehicleas shown in FIG. 12, and the extension structures 402 are positionedlaterally outward from the top panel 204 against a portion of thevehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the top panel 204 can at leastsubstantially cover the area 104 with the security device 102 in thesecured position.

Referring now to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, another example process fortransitioning the security device 102 from the storage position to thesecured position is depicted. In this example, the side panel 202 andthe top panel 204 are folded differently from the example in FIGS. 8, 9,and 10. As shown in FIG. 13, the top panel 204 can be folded backwardtoward the rear of the vehicle, rotating about the edge 206 adjoiningthe top panel 204 with the side panel 202 to an orientation similar tothat shown in FIG. 14. At the orientation shown in FIG. 14, the toppanel 204 can continue to be folded rearward about the edge 206 towardthe back of the vehicle, while the side panel 202 can be folded forwardtoward the front of the vehicle about the edge 210 adjoining the toppanel 204 with the attachment mechanism 208, as depicted in FIG. 14,until the security device 102 is oriented similar to the orientationshown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, the extension structures 402 arestill positioned laterally inward. Accordingly, the extension structures402 can be moved laterally outward relative to the top panel 204, asdepicted in FIG. 15, resulting in an orientation similar to that shownin FIG. 11.

As noted above, from the orientation shown in FIG. 11 with the extensionstructures 402 extended laterally outward relative to the top panel 204,the top panel 204 can be secured into position to at least substantiallycover the area 106 with the security device 102 in the secured position.In the secured position, the side panel 202 is positioned at leastsubstantially transverse to the top panel 204 and to the floor surfaceof the vehicle as shown in FIG. 12, and the extension structures 402 arepositioned laterally outward from the top panel 204 against a portion ofthe vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the top panel 204 can at leastsubstantially cover the area 104 with the security device 102 in thesecured position.

When the security device 102 is in the secured position, the top panel204 is maintained in position by the extension structures 402 beingadjacent the interior of the vehicle 100, and the top panel 204 cannotbe folded without reversing the operations described above for unfoldingthe security device 102 from the storage position to the securedposition. In order to block the ability to reverse the operationsdescribed above for unfolding the security device 102 from the storageposition to the secured position, the locking assembly 304 can beemployed. For example, the extension structures 402 can be adjustedlaterally outward and against a portion of the vehicle 100, as shown inFIG. 1. In the depicted examples, the extension structures 402 areconfigured as locking panels that partially wrap around portions of theinterior and sit on top of other portions of the interior. In otherembodiments, the extension structures 402 can be configured as the rodin FIG. 5 that can be displaced laterally outward into an aperture in aroll bar or some other portion of the vehicle 100.

The extension structures 402 can be locked into the laterally outwardposition to inhibit a person from adjusting an extension structure 402laterally inward by the locking mechanism described previously. With theextension structures 402 locked into the laterally outward extensionposition, the top panel 204 cannot be folded down to the storageposition.

To finish enclosing the area 104 of the vehicle 100, a rear door 1602can be closed, as shown in FIG. 16. The rear door 1602 can also helpretain the top panel 204 from rotating upward when the rear door 1602 isclosed. For example, the top panel 204 can extend partially under anedge of the rear door 1602 that inhibits the top panel 204 from rotatingupward with the rear door 1602 closed. Additionally, the locking panelextension structures 402 can be configured to cover any small openingthat could be accessible if they were not present.

Employing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a user cansecure items within the area 104 of the vehicle 100 from persons outsideof the vehicle. Because the extension structures 402 are locked into thelaterally outward position, only the user with a key to either the reardoor 1602 and/or the locking mechanism will be able to release thelocking mechanism, adjust the extension structures 402 laterally inwardand subsequently adjust the security device 102 to the storage position.

The various features associate with the examples described herein andshown in the accompanying drawings can be implemented in differentexamples and implementations without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, although certain specific constructionsand arrangements have been described and shown in the accompanyingdrawings, such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictiveof the scope of the disclosure, since various other additions andmodifications to, and deletions from, the described embodiments will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the scope of thedisclosure is only determined by the literal language, and legalequivalents, of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A security device for securing an area within avehicle, comprising: an attachment mechanism sized and shaped to becoupled to a portion of a vehicle; a side panel movably coupled to theattachment mechanism along a first adjoining edge; a top panel movablycoupled to the side panel along a second adjoining edge; and at leastone extension structure configured to be adjusted laterally inward andoutward relative to the top panel; and a locking mechanism positioned tolock the at least one extension structure from being laterally adjustedwhen the at least one extension structure is in a laterally outwardposition.
 2. The security device of claim 1, wherein the attachmentmechanism comprises a first hook and a second hook, each configured tofit into a respective slot in a floor of a vehicle.
 3. The securitydevice of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a firsthook and a second hook each configured to attach to a respective loopfeature of a vehicle.
 4. The security device of claim 1, wherein theside panel is movably coupled to the attachment mechanism by a hingepositioned along the first adjoining edge.
 5. The security device ofclaim 1, wherein the top panel is movably coupled to the side panel by ahinge positioned along the second adjoining edge.
 6. The security deviceof claim 1, wherein: the side panel is positioned at least substantiallytransverse to the top panel in a secured position; and the side panel ispositioned at least substantially parallel to the top panel in a storageposition.
 7. The security device of claim 1, wherein the lockingmechanism is positioned on one of a top surface of the top panel or abottom surface of the top panel.
 8. A vehicle, comprising: a trunk spacewith a floor surface; a side panel positioned within the trunk space andhingedly coupled to a portion of the trunk space; a top panel hingedlycoupled to the side panel; at least one extension structure configuredto be adjusted laterally inward and outward relative to the top panel;and wherein the side panel is positioned at least substantiallytransverse to the top panel and to the floor surface in a securedposition, and the side panel is positioned at least substantiallyparallel to the top panel and to the floor surface in a storageposition.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the side panel hingedlycoupled to a portion of the trunk space comprises a side panel hingedlycoupled to an attachment mechanism comprising a first hook and a secondhook, each fitted into a respective slot in the floor surface of thetrunk space.
 10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the side panel hingedlycoupled to a portion of the trunk space comprises a side panel hingedlycoupled to an attachment mechanism fastened to the floor surface of thetrunk space by at least one fastener.
 11. The vehicle of claim 8,wherein the at least one extension structure comprises a locking panel.12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the locking panel is one ofslidably coupled to the top panel or hingedly coupled to the top panelalong an adjoining edge.
 13. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprisinga locking mechanism positioned to lock the at least one extensionstructure from being adjusted laterally inward after the at least oneextension structure is adjusted laterally outward.
 14. The vehicle ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one extension structure is movably coupledto one of a bottom surface of the top panel or a top surface of the toppanel.
 15. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the at least one extensionstructure extends laterally outward from the top panel in the securedposition, and is located adjacent to a portion of the vehicle to inhibitmovement of the top panel toward a front side of the vehicle.
 16. Asecurity device for securing an area within a vehicle, comprising: a toppanel; a first extension structure movably coupled to the top panel tobe adjusted laterally inward and outward relative to the top panel; asecond extension structure movably coupled to the top panel to beadjusted laterally inward and outward relative to the top panel; a sidepanel hingedly coupled to the top panel; wherein the side panel ispositioned at least substantially transverse to the top panel, and thefirst extension structure and the second extension structure each extendlaterally outward from the top panel in a secured position; and whereinthe side panel is positioned at least substantially parallel to the toppanel, and the first extension structure and the second extensionstructure each are positioned laterally inward relative to the top paneland adjacent the top panel in a storage position.
 17. The securitydevice of claim 16, further comprising: an attachment mechanism hingedlycoupled to the side panel, the attachment mechanism configured to beremovably coupled to a portion of a vehicle.
 18. The security device ofclaim 16, wherein: the first extension structure is configured as afirst locking panel; and the second extension structure is configured asa second locking panel.
 19. The security device of claim 18, wherein:the first locking panel is one of slidably coupled to the top panel orhingedly coupled to the top panel along an adjoining edge; and thesecond locking panel is one of slidably coupled to the top panel orhingedly coupled to the top panel along an adjoining edge.
 20. Thesecurity device of claim 16, further comprising: a first lockingmechanism positioned to lock the first extension structure from beingadjusted laterally inward after the first extension structure isadjusted laterally outward; and a second locking mechanism positioned tolock the second extension structure from being adjusted laterally inwardafter the second extension structure is adjusted laterally outward.